STEP 1 - Gather Your Materials
Tools
- Scissors
- Tape (Any kind works. We used packing tape and artist tape)
- Markers
- Screwdriver
- Canary Cutter
- Hot Glue (optional)
Making Materials
For this project, I just took a handful of creative reuse materials I could find at home! Make sure to check with an adult if it's okay to use before hot gluing it onto art projects.
- Colored paper or junk mail
- Cardboard or paper board
- Stringy materials for legs, arms, and hair (I used pipe cleaners and this tassel I found)
- Magazines and other collage material (optional)
STEP 2 - Create your body
Draw your head and your body onto your base material. I used Cardboard as my base. I drew a circle for my head, then a simple narrow arch shape for my body. Sketch out a smaller circle in the middle of the body to cut out later.
Using the canary cutter and scissors, cut your cardboard pieces. Use the screwdriver to poke a hole and cut the inside circle out with a canary cutter.
Use the sistering technique to put the head and body together. Check out the graphics in this activity guide to learn about sistering and other cardboard connection techniques.
STEP 3 - Decorate your character
Use creative reuse materials to personalize your character.
*PRO-TIP: Instead of trying to cut the circle out of the paper I layered on top of the hole, I poked a hole in the middle and cut them into lines like cutting pizza. To open up the circle, I glued folded them in the back and glued them onto the cardboard. This makes for a smoother circle without the stress of making it perfect.
I topped my character off with a ribbon that came from gift packaging!
STEP 4 - What fills the void in you? What are your "stoppers"?
Let's walk around with our characters.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What fills my void?
- What brings my life fulfillment?
- What do I spend my time on when I'm not feeling my best?
Play around with things around you and let them fill the void in your character.
Sometimes it's food!
Bringing flowers home sometimes makes me feel better.
Taking care of my pets gives me a sense of fulfillment.
ADULT HELPERS
For any tips on how to use specific tools safely, visit our Youtube library for Tiny Techniques.
Check out this video on how to poke a hole in materials using a screwdriver.
RESOURCES
Visit the Techniques tab in reDiscover Center's Pedagogy Resources for more activity guides, access our Tiny Techniques videos, and get tips for working safely and efficiently with tools.
Once you have finished your character, share them with friends and family and show them how you take care of yourself, by filling the void in your life in healthy ways! If you want to share a picture on social media, make sure to tag @reDiscoverCtr. We love to see what you make!
